When you start to sneeze or cough, the first thing you probably do is head to your medicine cabinet. But side effect warnings, expiration dates and possible drug interactions can make you think twice about what's in that cabinet.

Take some time to clear out and organize your medicine cabinet this winter in order to keep safe while reaching for remedies. Here are six ways to do so:

1. Check expiration dates on both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Medicines lose their potency over time, so remove them if expired. Check to see if the medication has changed color, consistency or smell.

2. Start purchasing single-dose drops whenever possible to avoid contamination and to stop the preservatives from breaking down in the medication.

3. Scan the drugs for warnings about potential risks from certain ingredients. Visit the Food and Drug Administration's website, www.fda.gov/drugs, for specific drug information and warnings. Remove any medications that don't have labels or are not stored in their original containers.

4. Reorganize the medications in the cabinet so that those you use more frequently are within easy reach and group together similar medications.

5. Keep an emergency contact information list naming the medications you take, your known drug allergies and other important facts on the inside of the cabinet. Then paramedics and other emergency personnel can easily and quickly access it.

6. When disposing of unwanted or expired medications, don't dump them down the toilet, unless the patient information tells you to do so. Instead, mix pills with undesirable matter like kitty litter or coffee grounds before placing in a sealed plastic bag for the trash. Also, remove all personal information from the bottles. Contact your local government to see if your community has a drug take-back program.

-- ARA

New Research: Moderate alcohol fights heart disease

According to MyHealthNewsDaily.com, a new study published Nov. 18 reveals that moderate alcohol consumption can help prevent heart disease by “blocking the signals of molecules linked to plaque build-up in arteries.”

For the best effects, the Mayo Clinic suggests drinking no more than seven drinks a week for healthy women, 14 drinks a week for healthy men and seven drinks a week for those over 65.

Did You Know?

Out of all the holiday dinner dishes, traditional gravy is often the one that contains the most fat.

-- EatRight.org

Health Tip: Stay active while shopping

It may be hard to stay active during the holiday season, but 30 minutes is all most people need to keep fit. Try power walking while shopping at the mall or build muscle while toting your gifts. Take time to walk shopping carts back to the store and park at the back of the parking lot. Now is also the time to find a great deal on that treadmill or elliptical you’ve been eyeing.

-- Life Fitness

Number to Know

14.8 million: In a given year, 14.8 million Americans suffer from major depressive disorders.

-- WebMD.com

Children’s Health: Cough and cold meds pulled

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after a voluntary withdrawal of nonprescription baby products in 2007, the number of emergency room visits caused by adverse events from cough and cold medicines for children under 2 substantially declined from 2,790 to 1,248.

Among children under the age of 12, however, emergency department visits related to adverse events from cough and cold medicines remained steady.

Still, about two-thirds of all emergency department visits involving cold and cough medicines were caused by children unknowingly ingesting these medicines while unsupervised.

-- American Academy of Pediatrics

Senior Health: Seven steps to prevent heart disease

Researchers at the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago shared their insights and findings on how to prevent and treat heart disease. Also presented was “Life’s Simple Seven,” a cheat sheet for preventing heart disease:

Don’t smoke.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Devote 150 minutes physical exercise each week.

Eat a healthy diet.

Manage your blood pressure.

Keep cholesterol in check.

Manager your blood-glucose levels.

"This new message focuses on health, not disease," said Dr. Ralph Sacco, a neurologist and president of the American Heart Association. "Many of these seven simple steps will also reduce the chances of having a stroke or developing dementia, so they'll make your brain healthy as well as your heart."